Page:Taras Bulba. A Tale of the Cossacks. 1916.djvu/105

Rh Syech has existed, by the mercy of God, but to this day it not only doesn't look like a church outside, but even the holy pictures have no adornments; no one has so much as thought of making them a garment: they have received only that which some other kazáks have bequeathed them in their wills; and moreover those gifts have been meagre, because those men had drunk up nearly all they had during their lifetime. I'm making you this speech, therefore, not with the object of stirring you up to a war with the Mussulmans: we have promised the Sultan peace, and it would be a great sin in us, for we swore it according to our law."

"What's he mixing things up like that for?" said Bulba to himself.

"So you see, noble sirs, that war cannot be begun; knightly honour does not permit it. But according to my poor opinion, this is what I think: let's send out a few young men in boats; let them ravage the coasts of Anatolia a bit. What say you, noble sirs?"

"Lead on, take us all!" shouted the crowd on all sides. "We're ready to lay down our heads for our Faith."